Why Can't You Use an Electric Blanket with a Double Adapter / Power Board?

AlienC on 05/06/2019 - 19:07

Recently bought an electric blanket but it says to only plug directly into the power point and not a double adapter or power board.

Since I only have one power socket using a power board is a must unless I turn off my lamp and pc.

So why is it recommended not to use with a double adapter or power board?

Want to make sure it is ok before I turn it on for the first time.

Also the controller is not covered but because of the position of my bed against the wall it is in a cramped corner but still kind of open but definitely not in a free space and kind of near the lamp is this a safety or performance concern for the controller as I think it keeps asking to have it completely uncovered.

Thanks ozbargain.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • spackbace on 05/06/2019 - 19:14
    +2

    Likely the wattage requirement? Quick Google finds them using around 150-200W. They don't want you daisy-chaining too many high-powered things off 1 point

    Side note, for someone who focuses on power amounts and water amounts, why the elec blanket and not just a decent heavy one?

    • mskeggs on 05/06/2019 - 20:06

      This is likely, but does seem needlessly cautious.
      200w is actually a pretty low draw appliance. A fan heater will use 10x that.

    • AlienC on 06/06/2019 - 05:59

      I went for both to see the differences.

      So now I have two quilts and an electric blanket and will be using them all in different combinations depending on the weather and how I feel but I think two thick quilts win hands down but the electric blanket is quite nice.

    • bloom on 05/06/2019 - 19:25
      +7

      LOL
      Disregard all that.

      • Apple96 on 05/06/2019 - 19:27
        -1

        I was told that by a film maker, not an electrician. so yeah I took it will a grain of salt.

    • shrek4 on 05/06/2019 - 19:27
      -5

      Yeah that’s not how it works.

      240v is the same as 2400watts.

      Electric blankets typically use around 75-150watts.
      Power boards these days would have overloaded protection and cut out if the total load for the power board is greater than 2400watts.

      Also each of your house wiring circuits is also fused (commonly at 10amp) so that if you had lots of high draw devices on the same circuit (eg heater or two) the fuse should trip.

      • Apple96 on 05/06/2019 - 19:30
        -1

        Personally I think it was because the Uni didn't want to pay for having a bunch of high powered film lights running at the same time.

        • PVA on 05/06/2019 - 22:14

          😀yep, tight bums and their budgets.

      • Antares on 05/06/2019 - 20:02
        +9

        This is also incorrect…
        240V is the (average) voltage of a power point in Australia.
        A normal GPO (general power outlet) is rated at 10 amps, which equates to 2400 watts (amps x voltage = watts).

        To answer your original question, double adaptors in general are dangerous because of posts like this where people don't understand power and can cause a larger drain than 10amps (2400 watts) from a single outlet.
        However, powerboards in Australia all come with a 10 amp cutoff as long as they're functioning correctly, which prevents you from drawing too much power. So there should be no problem plugging it into a powerboard, but don't daisy chain double adaptors (or really, just don't use them at all, to be safe).

        • brendanm on 06/06/2019 - 08:40
          +2

          Wow at least someone understands this. The absolute state of our education system.

    • MagicMushroom on 05/06/2019 - 20:30
      +1

      User name checks out

      • mbck on 05/06/2019 - 20:47
        -1

        I loled

    • PVA on 05/06/2019 - 22:13
      -1

      Sorry mate that’s completely wrong.

  • Seraphin7 on 05/06/2019 - 19:41
    +1

    There is no specific reason to do it. If the blanket is working at 200 watts, it's drawing less than 1 amp at 240 volts. This is less than 10% of what the powerboard will be rated to. As others have mentioned, you don't want to start loading up a powerboard with heaters and other high draw appliances, but a powerboard with an electric blanket, a lamp and a PC will be fine. We use an electric blanket on a powerboard with a very similar set up.

  • josetann on 05/06/2019 - 19:51
    +1

    Probably to cover their asses, just in case a combination of events occurs that causes a house fire.

    "Yes, our electric blanket malfunctioned, causing it to draw more power than it was rated for, overloading the cheap powerboard, causing an electrical fire…but if it had been plugged directly in the outlet, it would have simply tripped the breaker, and thus no fire, therefore we aren't liable."

    I always plug high-draw devices into the first outlet of a powerboard (the one nearest the cord). Same for those double-adapters I used to use (but don't anymore); I'd plug a heater into the first outlet (the one right in front of the wall outlet) and something lower-draw in the side outlet.

  • sleepy le beef on 05/06/2019 - 19:56

    Yeah the blanket on its own wont cause a problem in the power board but as its a power board with multiple sockets they cant control what else you plug into it. I have seen a cheap power board melt down and catch fire with two pool pumps plugged into it.

  • pjetson on 05/06/2019 - 22:10

    Cheap power boards are just house fires waiting to happen. Electric blanket manufacturers can't know if you're going to use a good quality power board or a bad quality power board, but they can be pretty certain that you have good quality power points, so they tell you not to use power boards at all.

  • AdosHouse on 05/06/2019 - 22:23

    I used to use my electric blanket all the time with a powerboard. Also running from it was a alarm clock, a lamp and my phone charger. I would be surprised if total draw was more than 3-4 amps, perfectly safe.

    Now my 2000w oil column heater was plugged directly into the wall.

  • bigticket on 05/06/2019 - 23:31

    Also use a good quality double adapter/power board. Using overseas uncertified adapters with other items piggy backed is not a good idea.

  • the Unforgiven on 07/06/2019 - 19:45

    I use a double adapter for my electric blanket & have done so for yonks. To make sure they don't come apart, I use heaps of black nitto tape :) even around the extension lead I use black nitto tape, got to use good tape

    Maybe they think if it doesn't make full contact, it may arc & cause a spark & the fluff from their electric blankets will be used as fuel to start a fire; just a thought

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join